The Romanesque-looking Divine Mercy Church at Maryville Downs near Lower Chittering takes shape and, below, an artist’s impression of the finished structure

Work has stopped on a new church in the Lower Chittering due to a lack of funds.

The unfinished, Romanesque church is located in the expanding community of Maryville Downs, about 15 km north of Bullsbrook.

Construction of the Divine Mercy Church will not recommence until the parish has sourced all of the funds it needs to complete the project.

Parish Priest Fr Paul Fox and parish council chairman Maurus Ward are urging Catholics to get behind the project, while thanking those who have made it possible to get it to around 75 per cent completion, to date.

Mr Ward told The Record the cost of materials and labour had risen since the project began and several benefactors had been unable to honour their promises due to the global financial downturn and other unforeseen circumstances.

Fr Fox said he was hopeful of securing the remaining funds.

“I am confident that we will raise the funds to complete the church in due course but we do need support,” he said.

“It will be a most beautiful church to serve as a parish church and as a place of pilgrimage.”

In addition to its two bell towers, the church will also feature a large steel-framed copper-clad dome.

Its external walls have been built using pre-cast reinforced tilt panels, which will be clad with stone work using rocks collected by parish members over several years.

Once completed, the Divine Mercy Church will also serve the growing Immaculate Heart College community for its whole-of-school Masses.

A special Mass will be offered each month for the church’s benefactors.

Donations can be made to the: Divine Mercy Church Building Fund, PO Box 8, Bullsbrook WA 6084. For more information, call Fr Paul Fox on 0427 085 093.